Things to do in the Castelli Romani
Two volcanic lakes, wine, the fraschette and Rome half an hour away.
The Castelli are where Romans go to eat on Sundays. A handful of villages on the hills south of the city, around two lakes born inside a volcano.
Here you will find where to start. The right fraschette, the viewpoints and the day trips are in our free guides.
What to see in the Castelli Romani
Frascati
The villas of popes and princes, and the white wine that bears its name.
Castel Gandolfo
The village overlooking Lake Albano, with the papal palace.
Nemi
A village perched above a small, dark lake, famous for its wild strawberries.
Ariccia and Marino
The bridge, the palace, the fraschette. And in Marino the grape festival, in autumn.
Where to stand for the photo, the hour with the right light and how crowded it gets: it is in the free guide Photo spots.
Notify me when it is out →Day trips from the Castelli Romani
Rome
You get there quickly: the city by day, the cool of the hills in the evening. See Things to do in Rome.
Lake Albano
In summer you can swim and go canoeing.
Monte Cavo
The top of the hills, with a view over the two lakes and as far as the sea.
Tusculum
The remains of an ancient town in the middle of the meadows.
How far it is, how to get there and how long you need: it is in the free guide Day trips.
Notify me when it is out →What to eat in the Castelli Romani
Porchetta
The one from Ariccia, sliced to order.
The fraschette
Simple taverns where you eat and drink the way people used to.
The wine of the Castelli
White, fresh, to be drunk on the spot.
Ciambelle al mosto
Sweet rings that exist only at harvest time.
The places we recommend, what to order and how much you spend: it is in the free guide Where to eat.
Notify me when it is out →Things to do in the Castelli Romani, chosen by us
The best time for the Castelli Romani
Autumn
Grape harvest, festivals and colours.
Summer
Cooler than Rome, with the lakes for a swim.
Spring
Long days and tables outdoors.
Our home in the Castelli Romani
Castelli Romani: the questions travellers ask
How far are the Castelli from Rome?
Not far: by regional train or by car you reach the city in half an hour or a little more, depending on the village.
Do you need a car?
It is the easiest way to get from one village to another. For Rome there is the train.
Can you swim in the lakes?
In Lake Albano, yes, in summer.
Is it worth staying in the Castelli to visit Rome?
Yes, if you prefer to return in the evening to a quiet, cooler place. Our home in Marino is designed for two.
Which fraschetta should you go to?
They are not all the same. The ones we recommend, with what to order, are in the free guide “Where to eat in the Castelli Romani”.
Things to do also in: Florence, Rome, Turin, Cuneo, Lurisia and the Pesio Valley, Sestola, Laigueglia, Alassio. All destinations.
The rest is in the Castelli Romani guides
Three guides in PDF, free: where to eat, photo spots and day trips, with all the details you will not find here. They are on their way: leave us your details and we will send them as soon as they are out.
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